At the winter meeting that took place Jan 11th 2020 the SVFFA approved a minor tweaking to the Association logo. We’ve decided that the black logo introduced with the “Firefighter of the Year” patch be retained as the new design going forward! To commemorate this we have introduced a new challenge coin featuring the new design and the SFS CISM Team logo on the other.

For the inquiring minds that want to know, there are two popular stories about the origin of the recent rendition of the challenge coins we know today.

The first tells of the story of World War 1 pilots;

 An American squadron had as it’s leader a “well to do” Lieutenant who had medallions struck for all the members with their insignia. They were handed out to all the pilots. The majority put it in their wallets or pockets, however, one had put it in a small pouch around his neck. The next mission he was shot down by the Germans. While captured, the enemy soldiers stripped him of his uniform and gave him civilian clothes. However, they did leave him with his coin laden pouch necklace. During a bombardment the pilot was able to escape and made his way across enemy lines back onto French soil. Unable to understand the American, the French soldiers assumed the pilot to be spy and were about to execute him. Before the firing squad could shoot him, one of the soldiers recognized the squadron insignia on the coin after the pouch had been removed. Hearing the news, the Lieutenant went to fetch his comrade. When he arrived at the French garrison he found his pilot drinking a bottle of wine with his French captors. When the two returned to the American barracks, the Lieutenant made it mandatory that all the pilots carry their medallions at all times. This was enforced by “snap inspections” where all the personnel would have to produce their coins on demand. Eventually this practice made it’s way to the pub where the penalty of not producing a coin cost the pilot a round of drinks for his comrades.

A similar story has it that in World War 2 the OSS had a system where they would use regular coins as a “bona fide”, that is, a way to identify one another in secret meetings. Much like a password, all the participants would have to produce the same denomination with a specific year on it to prove they were who they claimed to be. A soldier might have a pocket full of change but the 1922 penny had to be produced if he were to be allowed inside. Again, this was morphed into a challenge as a way to ensure compliance.

Whether fact or fiction we might not ever know, but it has grown from just a military tradition to one enacted by all manner of organizations including of course to Fire Fighters. FYI, the most coveted is said to be the coin handed from the President of the United States. 

As for the challenge, much like the “snap inspection”, when a person carrying a coin wishes to issue a challenge to others he/she produces their coin to those around them. He/she can announce aloud, tap or drop it on the table or bar. Any of the others in the association who own a coin MUST produce theirs or will find themselves buying drinks for the ones who had theirs. If the others all produce their coins, the challenger must buy for everyone else. Some allow borrowing a coin if they do not have one on them. Caution, many memberships will penalize the challenger should he/she drop it on the FLOOR by accident, this generally results in the OPPOSITE effect of the challenger now buying the drinks. Another variant says that if a member is able to steal a coin from another all the members present must buy the “stealer” a drink.

The SVFFA Challenge Coin Rules

Seeing that we should have our own rules to accompany our coins, here’s what the SVFFA has proposed:

• An SVFFA member may initiate a coin challenge at any function or gathering there are other SVFFA members at.
• A coin holder may issue a challenge to other Saskatchewan firefighters, outside the province they may only ACCEPT a challenge from other agencies. It is considered poor taste to issue a challenge to your hosts!
• Any SVFFA member who is challenged must produce their coin IF THEY OWN ONE, they are exempt if they do not own a Challenge Coin.
• Coin owners MAY NOT BORROW A COIN IF CHALLENGED, the whole premise is to have it on you at all times.
• The coin needs to be within reach of the member, if it is at an opposite table, out of arms reach, in a hotel room during a function etc. it is considered NOT on your person.
• Should the CHALLENGER drop his/her coin on the floor when issuing THEY must buy the round (this is to preserve the “sanctity” of the coin and what it represents).
• The challenge only applies to the immediate table or bar patrons, not an entire event or gathering.
• Any member who has lost a challenge is now exempt from any further challenges at the event, for example, moving to another table they would not be expected to buy again if someone else issues a new challenge.
• Trading coins is encouraged, especially outside Saskatchewan, as a show of camaraderie with other firefighters. This also includes EMS, Police, Military etc.
• As above, these outside agency coins are allowed to be used to DEFEND a challenge. However, an SVFFA member should only issue a challenge with an SVFFA coin at an SVFFA event or gathering of SVFFA and/or Saskatchewan Firefighters.
• Producing a second coin does not trump an unsuccessful challenge (you can’t “king” your coin to win).
• There is no “coin to rule them all”, this isn’t the Lord of the Rings folks, no matter what the SVFFA Directors try to convince you that theirs are mysteriously more powerful.
• “IOU’s” are permitted if the loser does not have sufficient funds on them, this can be worked out between the parties involved.
• A picture on one’s phone is NOT  considered a substitute for an actual coin.
• Coins may not be defaced by drilling a hole in them to run a chain or string through.
• Coins are not to be part of a belt buckle, medal or other uniform component.
• Stealing another members coin is frowned upon.
• Junior firefighters (those not of legal drinking age) may purchase a round of soft drinks, coffees etc. for those who have challenged them, conversely, a soft drink, coffee etc.  shall take the place of a liquor beverage for a junior.
• As above, those who are non-drinkers may also follow the “soft drink” directive if they choose to still take part

Remember the whole point of the challenge is not alcohol consumption, it is about Camaraderie. It should be looked upon as a fun way to bond with your fellow brothers and sisters in arms. We deal with enough negative and tragic events that we need to find an avenue to escape and hopefully this can be a way to do so. 

SVFFA Members, we want your input on these rules! Is there something you’d like to see? Shoot your Zone Director an email and share your thoughts!